Guards make an impression in OTR Sweet 16
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga – On the Radar Hoops Session I had some players for all levels.
Every college program is looking for a game-changer. A player who can come in and be a difference-maker in their own way. These players need to perform at a high level and make plays with or without the basketball.
Here are some players who made impactful plays during the first Live Period.
Being a floor general is like being the CEO of a company. Every decision and action one takes impacts the team/organization. There were some boss floor leaders.
The trio of Michael Jacobs, Florian Tenebay, and Malachi Brown are tough to stop at times. Each of them brings a different style of play when on the ball.
Tenebay, of Greenforest High, is a 6-foot-5 guard who puts pressure on teams at both ends of the floor. The native of France gives opponents fits by playing downhill with relentless effort. He is more than capable of getting into the lane at will and is skilled enough to get off any shot. Brown, of Buford High, brings a calm demeanor and poised approach to the game. He runs the team with the steadiness of a heart surgeon. His mental control of the game is impressive. Jacobs, of McEachern High, is a 6-foot-1 bruising combo guard. He affects the game in ways where opponents are off-balance. His strength is tough to match.
Derian Saran is a name many programs in search of a floor general will soon get to know. The 6-foot-2 was tactical in running Team 1-of-1 Elite, which is the team of the Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball. He is stoic in the position and has a killer demeanor. This Turkish native is a true point guard who can facilitate and score with the best of them on the floor. His handle is tight going through traffic. The Asheville (NC) School product currently holds offers from Radford and Stony Brook.
Brandon Rechsteiner, of Etowah High, is a textbook point guard with plenty of consistency and flare. B-Roc, as he is affectionally known, handles the rock like a yo-yo. He handles it with much control in running the team. His control under pressure is contagious enough that the Atlanta All-Stars never look disturbed with him at the point. He is strong enough to handle the heavy contact from other guards. The 6-foot-1 Rechsteiner is easily one of the most undervalued floor generals in the state.
Playing against Tayden Owens is similar to trying to stay in front of a bull in a ring. You may think you can avoid the contact but the horns will eventually get you. This is how one can describe the game of this 6-foot bulldozer. Owens, of Cherokee High, goes downhill, north/south, east/west, and just about everywhere on the court at one speed – aggressive. He does change it up some to catch defenders napping before dropping it into fifth gear to the lane. If that is bottled up the jumper is deployed. However, his style of play is not just reserved for the offense. He will guard a player to the parking lot, if necessary.
The South East Regional Big Dawgs let its main dog eat this weekend. Jamar Brown came out with something to program. The 6-foot combo guard took it upon himself to put on a show to remember. He went for 29 points in a win for the Jacksonville, FL-based squad. His performance was impressive because despite the extra attention he garnered the Palatka High product got results. Look for his ability to score the ball and play with some toughness to attract college programs from across the region.
Aiden Jones knows how to score at a solid rate. He is consistent in mixing up opportunities while being fearless at getting into the lane. The Sante Fe (FL) Catholic product averaged nearly 22 points per game on the weekend for PHS Academy. He is a combo guard capable of pulling down big-time rebounds or dropping off nifty dimes in the process. His best scoring night was a 30-point performance on opening night.
Jaylen Smith provided the highlight of the weekend by any guard. The 5-foot-10 combo guard delivered a monster head tap by delivering a two-handed dunk over the opponent. It sent the 1 Family bench into a frenzy while everyone else was stunned near the court. Either way, the Edgewater High product is a lefty who plays with purpose. He is also competing and banging, while also just making sure things are running well for the Orlando-based organization.
A combination of strength, skill and a splash of poise is the best way to describe Hagan Wiley Harrison. The 6-foot-2 combo guard is one tough character. He takes care of the basketball at all costs while also putting teammates in scoring positions. His ability to shoot the ball at an efficient rate makes him hard to guard.
Eren Banks is a stock college programs may need to check in on. The Putnam High product showed what he was been working on for a while. He has always been able to score but it is coming at such an easier rate for this combo guard. There is no stopping or denying him once the goal is to get a bucket. He also demonstrated the ability to facilitate and run the team. Georgia Southern, Tennessee and Mississippi State have offered this 6-foot-3 prospect.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.